Opening remarks brought to you by your Smart Fabrics Summit MC, Dr. Amanda Mills.

Dr. Jessica M. Gluck, Assistant Professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, PhD (2013), University of California, Los Angeles; Michelle Lishner, Lead Development Engineer, Cortland Biomedical; Dr. R. Bryan Ormond, Assistant Professor, TECS/TPACC, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University

Kick off the Summit with two rapid sessions in one. These speakers will cover a component of medical textiles from product development to testing to commercialization. Join moderator Dr. Jessica Gluck from the Wilson College of Textiles to guide us though these examples of the crucial process in bringing medical textiles to market.

Dr. Braden Li, Materials Research Engineer, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center & Air Force Research Laboratory

In this presentation, key material challenges and solutions will be shared that are being addressed within the U.S. Air Force to enable next generation smart textiles to better enable personnel to perform their duties by providing both physiological state awareness and mitigating detrimental states such as hypothermia and cognitive fatigue. Herein we discuss our efforts exploring the use of polymer architectures coupled with printable liquid metal (EGaIn) inks to create conformable, flexible, and robust functional textile electronics suitable for applications such as active heating, electrophysiological sensing, and on-body data / power routing. These innovative material sets present new opportunities for additional textile-based wearable sensing, haptics, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) applications that were previously unrealized due to intrinsic material limitations.

Join Eric Sguazzin, International Economist and Pamela Kirkland Solomon, International Trade Specialist for an update from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) while you enjoy lunch.

Glenn Saunders, Senior Research Engineer, Manufacturing Innovation Center (MIC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

In this session, we will discuss the relationship between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI); a private technological research university, and the Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing Institute (ARM); one of the 16 Manufacturing USA network institutes, and how we are working together to make robotics, autonomy and intelligence more accessible to US manufacturers, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, train and empower the manufacturing workforce and elevate our national security and resilience. We will review the objectives, execution details, student involvement and outcomes of several ARM projects in advanced manufacturing (apparel and non-apparel). We will conclude by looking ahead to the role of advanced robotics in wearable technologies.

Matt Kolmes, CEO, Supreme Corporation

This session will review the proposed technology of a Nano-Hybrid platform smart yarn for multifunctional application. Understand how this yarn is functionalized with specific nanoparticles and dye molecules. Shining light with the LED embedded yarn stimulates thermoregulating and therapeutic functionalities. We call the yarn as (TTS-Yarn) Thermoregulating Therapeutic Smart Nano-Hybrid LED Yarn. Using a tiny LED extruded into a monofilament yarn developed by AFFOA, we are creating a synergy between the LED and the Nano hybrid system. This is a multifunctional yarn with an inbuilt LED which can stimulate instant light therapy process that can be used for antimicrobial, wound healing and thermoregulating applications.

Dr. Jack Martin, Faculty-Sustainable Technologies, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

We have films of PV and films of PV applied to fabrics (problems of dissimilar materials and adhesives). What about PV within Fabrics?

Our preferred state would be a flexible PV- durable, long lasting with high performance. A tarp type of material to cover structures with a film or woven fabric of silicon fiber thread opens countless opportunities for application; rainflies, awnings, sails, wings, wow.

Silicon may be the key as in semi-conductors- Photovoltaics, Maximum Power Point Trackers, energy storage, Balance of Systems, energy conditioners (inverters), sensors, communication, light (LED) and energy use. Nano glass fibers used for communications can now be tied into knots without breaking and woven into material-i.e. fiberglass (soft, flexible or hard). At the nano level the above functions can become incorporated into fabric. Additionally piezoelectric materials can derive energy from movement and crystal structure could make colors and patterns. Also, the spectrum could be altered to retain or reject heat.

Increasingly, this is coming within our grasp. Using Biotechnology, we may even mimic cells, skins and fibers. it is time to think beyond 2 dimensions. The Future is Fabulous, a new field awaits!

Cory Schug, Law Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson LLP
Dhruv Agarwal, Vice President-Sustainability, Innovation, Development, Kontoor Brands (Wrangler & HD Lee)

From conception to introduction, the path of bringing a new product to market can involve both legal pitfalls and opportunities. Understanding when to consider legal issues can help avoid wasted efforts and lesson the chances that the right to obtain a patent will be lost.  Using case examples, the speakers will highlight best practices including agreements to protection ownership, patent searches (state of the art; freedom to operate; patentability), provisional/non-provisional/international patent applications, front-loading or back-loading costs, licensing and enforcement.

Join us for a fun and engaging end to the first day of the Smart Fabrics Summit.  Mix and mingle with your industry peers over drinks and appetizers.

Get to know Wilson College faculty, staff, and students and prepare for engaging tours of Wilson College facilities, with hands on workshops!

Emil Runge, Director of Programs, First Flight Venture Center
Steve McManus, Innovation Advisor, RTI Innovation Advisors

While you are enjoying your breakfast, join Emil Runge and Steve McManus as they discuss opportunities for collaboration and funding in development of smart textiles and wearables technologies for the warfighter.

The North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP) is building a best-in-class innovation ecosystem for the research, development, and production of smart textiles and wearable devices in support of warfighter health and performance.

This will be achieved by establishing a comprehensive and innovative resource nexus that closes identified gaps while leveraging supports that directly respond to priority sectors and technologies identified by the Department of Defense. We are highlighting that ecosystem and the services to help companies meet the needs of the warfighter.

Moderator: Dr. Ravi Chilukuri, Innovation Ecosystem Director, Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) at NC State
Panelists: Jesse Jur, Director of Technical Program Development, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA); Carlos Jimenez, Technical Sales Director, Fashion, Lectra

Join us for a panel discussion on the latest innovation and future trends in manufacturing. From automation and robotics to understanding the scale and complexity of projects—professionals in industry and academia will share their best practices and what is in store for the future.

Beginning at 9 AM, join continuous tours of the Wilson College of Textiles labs, the ASSIST Center’s state-of-the-art research facilities and the NEW Flex Factory.  Shuttles will leave the Talley Student Union every 20 minutes based on scheduled tour times to maximize participation. Each tour group can accommodate approximately 10-15 participants.

While lab tours are taking place, join select Wilson College students and faculty for a selection of demos, poster presentations, and other hands on-activities on a number of topics relative to e-textiles and related cutting edge research, all driven by students!